Following up on my recent article on why dandelions are so wonderful for kids, here's ten more recipes to make with the ever-present flowers and leaves. Not only are they quick and easy, but they will add a delightful touch of whimsy to the day!
Why eat dandelions? Well, besides being fun for the kids (and free food!), "Wildman" Steve Brill says:
"The leaves are more nutritious than anything you can buy. They're higher in beta-carotene than carrots. The iron and calcium content is phenomenal, greater than spinach. You also get vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, E, P, and D, biotin, inositol, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc by using a tasty, free vegetable that grows on virtually every lawn. The root contains the sugar inulin, plus many medicinal substances."
He goes on to say:
"Dandelions are also good for the bladder, spleen, pancreas, stomach and intestines. Itís recommended for stressed-out, internally sluggish, and sedentary people. Anyone who's a victim of excessive fat, white flour, and concentrated sweeteners could benefit from a daily cup of dandelion tea."
That's just the tip of the nutritional iceberg, though. Read more ways the plant helps your health here.
Now for some recipes...
- Here's a recipe for Dandelion Syrup (add pectin to make jelly) courtesy of the author's grandmother in the Swiss Alps!
- Feeling braver? Why not try Dandelion Pineapple Juice? All you need are fresh dandelion leaves, pineapple juice, ice and a blender!
- For Dandelion Cornbread, twist the yellow flowers off the heads (so you only have the yellow tiny petal fragments) and stir a half cup of petals into your favorite cornbread mix or recipe. Bake as directed.
- 5 Orange Potatoes has a delicious recipe for Dandelion Flower Cookies.
- Make Dandelion Pancakes by mixing flower petals into pancake batter and cooking as usual. Serve with honey or Dandelion Syrup.
- Eat the Weeds offers a recipe for Dandelion Burgers. In a rather lukewarm testimonial, he says, "No, they don’t taste like hamburger, but they ain’t bad."
- Emma Bradshaw offers a Dandelion Petal Sorbet.
- Here's a recipe from Learning Herbs for a super simple Dandelion Lemonade!
- The Alaska Parks Service offers a twelve page printable recipe book (in PDF form) of dandelion recipes that includes Dandelion Green Fettuccini Noodles. They say, "Some people find dandelion greens too strong, simply added to a salad, but here is a basic pasta recipe that uses them to the best effect."
- Allrecipes has a classic Dandelion Green Salad that's also very simple.
Remember to pick greens before flowers have formed to avoid the bitter leaves. I've also read that dandelion leaves lose their protective bitterness after frost, which we've had just this week here in Minnesota. Maybe the recent cold was actually helpful for something!
Do you have a favorite dandelion recipe? Please share it in the comments!
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